Jet Lag

I've been back from South Africa for a week now. I have a weird relationship with jet lag. I don't mind it, but don't love it either. South Africa is only 6-7 hours ahead of Eastern USA depending on daylight savings. On this return it means I am falling asleep at 8-9pm and waking up 4-5am.  That might sound like a regular nights sleep for an early bird, but I'm a late night owl.

The world is weird at 4am in the morning. The sounds are wrong and the light is wrong. I'm not sure I like it. However, it is quite nice to hit 8am and you're already ahead of your day and have everything working for you. The negative effect at night is having your wife laugh at you as you fall asleep on the couch, drooling and falling.

I prefer the late night owl - up till 2am, contemplating the universe, life and everything, waking up grumpy in the morning and having that first sip of delicious coffee. Yes, maybe that sounds weird to you early birders, but the late night owls are all hooting in agreement.

They say the early bird gets the worm.  I'm with Garfield on this one...some incentive!

I'll stick with coffee.  And I've discovered a new favorite this year - iced coffee! Enjoyed it last year, but loving it this year!

Africa Day 8 and 9: Safari

It was with little expectation that we arrived at Inverdoorn Lodge in the Karoo to see some game. It was a surprise to discover how much it became part of us. Most people travel to Kruger or Pilanesburg in northern South Africa to see game. They are great parks, but seeing wildlife can be hit or miss. Inverdoorn is a tiny reserve by comparison, but they do an excellent job in work and hospitality.

Game drives are wonderful and sightings are many. Of course the herds are small and many of the animals are rescues. But what better place to support than a lodge committed to rehabilitating cheetahs, elephants and lions.

For those who don't know the Karoo is a semi-arid desert region of South Africa. There is no exact definition for the Karoo but I find it a hard place to live. Animals and plant life struggle to survive. Because of this hardship there is what I call a cruel beauty in the Karoo. At first glance it looks bare and barren, but if you are quiet long enough, and able to observe closely, you'll see a beauty emerge that takes away your breath and sneaks into your spirit.

Animals emerge, sometimes right out of the bushes next to you to show off their beauty. Insects call, the sky shouts and the horizon whispers of allurement and suffering delicacy. Before long, you've fallen in love with the dusty roads and scrubby bushes. The animals become soulmates and the land becomes your body.

This love is not the infatuation of young love, it is the love of poets and songs, the love of the great classics. You are Romeo and the land is Juliet. Leaving does become a sorrow and the memories live with you forever.

I offer to you just a brief look into our 24 hours in the Karoo with this video file (please let me know if you can't watch it).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vd8acvapd5pcja5/Safari%20-%20Inverdoorn.mp4?dl=0

Africa Day 7: Leadership

Today was a day about leadership. I spent the morning with my pastoral and fatherhood mentor, my uncle. We spoke about many subjects from caring for my mom, our families, leading in the church and how to address the growing challenges to Christian thought and practice. I left feeling encouraged and inspired as usual with the usual twinge of sadness at not seeing him more.

We filled the afternoon wrapping up the leadership development trip to New York and Washington DC. It is a great trip that will inspire, teach, challenge and release leaders into the world.

Tonight is a celebration of the work of the week over dinner. I don't think we've done that yet this week!

Africa Day 6: Strategy

Today was all about planning together and forming the future years of HC. Some of us couldn't handle the pace and needed time out to "prayer".

Observing South African teaching and schools was amazing. Students doing work beyond their grade level (DNA extraction of a banana), caring for a living lab, feeding animals and doing normal school stuff. Teachers pouring their souls into kids.

Peter H got to consult on his own cafe and business experience with school catering staff.

As an executive we looked into the future and saw a future filled with young people helping young people. As part of the work we began planning our advanced leadership development program. It looks awesome.

We ended the day speaking to over 80 parents and children about visiting New York and Boston in December. Already 20 families have committed to coming.

Today was a good day as we lived out our vision: sculpting teachers and learners for dynamic change.

Huzzah to Bacon and Gold!